anti-malarial drugs in India

jaz · Nov 8th, 2003, 08:49

Hi

Which anti-malaria drug do most of you guys take whilst in India?
Is it essential to take such drugs even in winter and if your sticking to the North?

Can you purchase anti-malaria drugs in Kathmandu or Varanasi?

I have tried to get them hold of them in Beijing but with no joy. I will be heading out there again on Thursday so if any of you know of a Chemist there that stocks Mefloquine pls let me know!

Otherwise l'll have to go with online ordering wihich is pretty pricey. I have found Lariam Mephaquin 250mg 20 tablets US$85 at http://www.esecureprofessional.com/e...mefloquine.htm , would this drug be suitable for India?

Sorry for the incessant questions but l can't seek medical advise from my Doctor because l'm living in China and the one Doctor l have seen here diagnosed a sore throat for us when l had the flu so l don't trust his medical advise!

Cheers

jaz

-m2- · Nov 8th, 2003, 09:08

jaz, this is just to answer your first question, not to offer advice: I do not take anti-malarial drugs while in India as a general practice, only if circumstances make it prudent.

m2

cyberhippie · Nov 8th, 2003, 10:12

The WHO reccomended drugs are a combination of chloroquinine and proguanil. These are, I'm informed available in India and though I do not know the exact cost I'm betting they will be a lot cheaper than your quoted price!!
There really is no need to go for the more expensive Larium, this is a drug with many side effects and better avoided unless absolutely neccessary (like say in South east asia!!)
There is another drug on the market called savarine this is the above combination in one pill taken once a day!!
But remember you will have to start your course 1 week before you start your trip to give the drug time to build up in your system!!
Hope that clears things up for you!!!

fruitbat · Nov 8th, 2003, 12:30

As cyberhippie mentioned there is no for the expensive Lariam.Although it ismore convenient,ie taken once a week,many people have complained about side effects such as nausea. Also it is not to be taken when diving, driving for long periods,or any activity where deep concentration is needed,as this can be effected.
Having said that,alot of people complain about side effects on all the other anti-malarials as well.
About malaria in the north. Most of India has two of the non-deadly forms of malaria endemically. Recently there has been an outbreak of falciparum malaria, the type that can cause cerebral malaria and be fatal, in Rajastan.
Most important in the prevention of malaria would be mosquito repellant, good mosquito net, covering oneself up during dawn and dusk, and looking for the first signs of infection ( if none anti-malarials were taken).

Enjoy your trip

jaz · Nov 8th, 2003, 18:49

Cheers for all the advice, its much appreciated l'm having palpitations here in China! The problem is l'm getting conflicting advise. My parents who regulary travel to the Punjab area have never taken any anti-malaria drugs and have advised me there is no need for it in Winter. The same advise l got from Delhigate.com. But others have advised Lariam and say anti-malaria drugs are essential whether its winter or summer, north or south. Before l came out here l got some Avloclor Chloroquine anti-malaria tablets which l hear aren't reistant to the malaria found in India. Basically l'm bewildered by it all. I guess l have to make an informed decison. Personally l'd rather do without any kind of anti-malaria drugs for fear of the potential side effects getting in the way of enjoying my trip.

Just one more question re covering up during dawn and dusk. Does it make a such a difference if the clothes you wear are dark? Must they be light clothes because mosquitos are attracted to the dark? I only ask because most of my clothes are darker colours and l can't find my size here in China!

edwardseco · Nov 9th, 2003, 11:16

A complex area and no one size fits all. I use Doxycycline now that my luck ran low a couple of trips back. Its cheap and gives moderate sun sensitivity but some people do not take to it. Larium is way too risky for me. Everyone reacts differently so you have to try one out to see what suits you..

jaz · Nov 9th, 2003, 17:20

edwardseco

I was ready to go with Lariam, just because its once a week so more convenient. But now l am having second thoughts. Your right this is way too complex! Can you purchase Doxycycline in Kathmandu or Varanasi? RE light/dark clothes, does it really make a difference??

Cheers

JAz

pooch · Nov 9th, 2003, 20:30

jaz, mosquitoes are attracted to the colour blue , not necessarily dark colours.

jaz · Nov 10th, 2003, 06:28

Thanks Pooch, most my clothes are Black so l should be safe l hope!

IndyBoy · Nov 10th, 2003, 11:12

You will be able to purchase any drugs you require in India or Kathmandu no problem. The price for chloroquine is rupees per tablet (i.e. very cheap).

jaz · Nov 10th, 2003, 16:16

Cheers 4 all the advice, so thats one thing off my list and its definitely put me at ease knowing l can just purchase them in Kathmandu, hoping l can get the combination of Chloroquine and proguanil out there.

kaganj · Jan 29th, 2004, 06:33

I've got my three little trial pills siting here and I'm still wondering whether to try it.
I'm going to Kerala first so i'm worried about waiting to buy medication until I arrive. I like the chloroquine/P combination. My doctor is pushing doxycycline but 6 weeks on an antibiotic?

I know all the Larium side effects, I also know many people who've had none.

what to do???

DianeN. · Jan 29th, 2004, 08:52

I have a question that may seem rather ignorant...but how can there be mosquitos in a desert? Don't mosquitos need a lot of water and dampness to survive?
Is malaria a problem in Rajasthan? Though it is supposedly a desert state?
When I lived in Los Angeles, mosquitos were NEVER a problem. In Japan, yes they are very annoying in the hot, humid summer.

Diane

wonderwomanusa · Jan 29th, 2004, 12:33

Quote:

My doctor is pushing doxycycline but 6 weeks on an antibiotic?

I was in India for three months -- returned home three weeks ago, and tomorrow I take my last doxycycline tablet. Haven't had any problems.

Nov 8th, 2003, 08:49	#1
jaz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: UK Posts: 191	anti-malarial drugs in India Hi Which anti-malaria drug do most of you guys take whilst in India? Is it essential to take such drugs even in winter and if your sticking to the North? Can you purchase anti-malaria drugs in Kathmandu or Varanasi? I have tried to get them hold of them in Beijing but with no joy. I will be heading out there again on Thursday so if any of you know of a Chemist there that stocks Mefloquine pls let me know! Otherwise l'll have to go with online ordering wihich is pretty pricey. I have found Lariam Mephaquin 250mg 20 tablets US$85 at http://www.esecureprofessional.com/e...mefloquine.htm , would this drug be suitable for India? Sorry for the incessant questions but l can't seek medical advise from my Doctor because l'm living in China and the one Doctor l have seen here diagnosed a sore throat for us when l had the flu so l don't trust his medical advise! Cheers jaz

Nov 8th, 2003, 09:08	#2
-m2- . Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: . Posts: 1,578	jaz, this is just to answer your first question, not to offer advice: I do not take anti-malarial drugs while in India as a general practice, only if circumstances make it prudent. m2 Last edited by -m2- : Nov 8th, 2003 at 09:42.

Jan 29th, 2004, 06:33	#12
kaganj Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: nyc Posts: 3	larium??? I've got my three little trial pills siting here and I'm still wondering whether to try it. I'm going to Kerala first so i'm worried about waiting to buy medication until I arrive. I like the chloroquine/P combination. My doctor is pushing doxycycline but 6 weeks on an antibiotic? I know all the Larium side effects, I also know many people who've had none. what to do???

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Nov 8th, 2003, 10:12	#3
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,014	The WHO reccomended drugs are a combination of chloroquinine and proguanil. These are, I'm informed available in India and though I do not know the exact cost I'm betting they will be a lot cheaper than your quoted price!! There really is no need to go for the more expensive Larium, this is a drug with many side effects and better avoided unless absolutely neccessary (like say in South east asia!!) There is another drug on the market called savarine this is the above combination in one pill taken once a day!! But remember you will have to start your course 1 week before you start your trip to give the drug time to build up in your system!! Hope that clears things up for you!!!

Nov 8th, 2003, 12:30	#4
fruitbat Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 3	As cyberhippie mentioned there is no for the expensive Lariam.Although it ismore convenient,ie taken once a week,many people have complained about side effects such as nausea. Also it is not to be taken when diving, driving for long periods,or any activity where deep concentration is needed,as this can be effected. Having said that,alot of people complain about side effects on all the other anti-malarials as well. About malaria in the north. Most of India has two of the non-deadly forms of malaria endemically. Recently there has been an outbreak of falciparum malaria, the type that can cause cerebral malaria and be fatal, in Rajastan. Most important in the prevention of malaria would be mosquito repellant, good mosquito net, covering oneself up during dawn and dusk, and looking for the first signs of infection ( if none anti-malarials were taken). Enjoy your trip

Nov 8th, 2003, 18:49	#5
jaz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: UK Posts: 191	Cheers for all the advice, its much appreciated l'm having palpitations here in China! The problem is l'm getting conflicting advise. My parents who regulary travel to the Punjab area have never taken any anti-malaria drugs and have advised me there is no need for it in Winter. The same advise l got from Delhigate.com. But others have advised Lariam and say anti-malaria drugs are essential whether its winter or summer, north or south. Before l came out here l got some Avloclor Chloroquine anti-malaria tablets which l hear aren't reistant to the malaria found in India. Basically l'm bewildered by it all. I guess l have to make an informed decison. Personally l'd rather do without any kind of anti-malaria drugs for fear of the potential side effects getting in the way of enjoying my trip. Just one more question re covering up during dawn and dusk. Does it make a such a difference if the clothes you wear are dark? Must they be light clothes because mosquitos are attracted to the dark? I only ask because most of my clothes are darker colours and l can't find my size here in China!

Nov 9th, 2003, 11:16	#6
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,445	A complex area and no one size fits all. I use Doxycycline now that my luck ran low a couple of trips back. Its cheap and gives moderate sun sensitivity but some people do not take to it. Larium is way too risky for me. Everyone reacts differently so you have to try one out to see what suits you..

Nov 9th, 2003, 17:20	#7
jaz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: UK Posts: 191	edwardseco I was ready to go with Lariam, just because its once a week so more convenient. But now l am having second thoughts. Your right this is way too complex! Can you purchase Doxycycline in Kathmandu or Varanasi? RE light/dark clothes, does it really make a difference?? Cheers JAz

Nov 9th, 2003, 20:30	#8
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Middle East <---->India Posts: 384	jaz, mosquitoes are attracted to the colour blue , not necessarily dark colours.

Nov 10th, 2003, 06:28	#9
jaz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: UK Posts: 191	Thanks Pooch, most my clothes are Black so l should be safe l hope!

Nov 10th, 2003, 11:12	#10
IndyBoy Wandering fool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NE UK Posts: 146	You will be able to purchase any drugs you require in India or Kathmandu no problem. The price for chloroquine is rupees per tablet (i.e. very cheap).

Nov 10th, 2003, 16:16	#11
jaz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: UK Posts: 191	Cheers 4 all the advice, so thats one thing off my list and its definitely put me at ease knowing l can just purchase them in Kathmandu, hoping l can get the combination of Chloroquine and proguanil out there.

Jan 29th, 2004, 08:52	#13
DianeN. Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Japan Posts: 255	I have a question that may seem rather ignorant...but how can there be mosquitos in a desert? Don't mosquitos need a lot of water and dampness to survive? Is malaria a problem in Rajasthan? Though it is supposedly a desert state? When I lived in Los Angeles, mosquitos were NEVER a problem. In Japan, yes they are very annoying in the hot, humid summer. Diane

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